Rhode Island man facing several charges, held on bond, after report of armed kidnapping

A local man is facing several charges after an alleged incident.

According to State Police, on Thursday, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Troop F- Westbrook, Connecticut issued a be on the lookout broadcast after receiving information of a reported armed kidnapping in Providence, RI. The BOLO was for a grey Jeep bearing RI registration plates, and Troopers began to patrol I-95 southbound in attempts to locate the vehicle.

Troop F dispatch advised Troopers in the area that the vehicle was pinging in the Madison area, and a Trooper located the suspect vehicle stopped at the Madison rest area along I-95 southbound. The Trooper observed a male and a female in the vehicle and positively identified the male driver as 23-year-old Angel Martinez of Providence, RI. Upon arrival of additional units, Martinez was asked to exit the vehicle. Martinez was detained in handcuffs while the investigation continued. The passenger was then positively identified as the victim in the Providence incident.

Upon asking Martinez if there were any weapons in the vehicle, Martinez explained that there was a firearm on the floor behind the front passenger seat in a bag. Troopers observed a handgun case in plain view on the floor behind the front passenger seat, as well as a bag right next to the case. A loaded 9mm handgun was subsequently located within the bag as explained by Martinez. The victim also explained that she was aware of a firearm being inside the vehicle but was not certain of its location.

It was determined during the investigation that Martinez did not have a valid permit to possess a firearm. As a result, the firearm was determined to have been improperly secured being within arm’s reach of Martinez from the driver’s seat.

The Providence, RI Police Department was advised of Martinez being in Connecticut State Police custody and later responded to Troop F to continue their investigation.

Martinez was transported to Troop F, where he was processed on the charges of Carrying a Pistol Without a Permit and Illegal Possession of a Weapon in a Motor Vehicle.

Martinez was held on a $5,000 bond. Providence, RI PD later secured an extraditable felony arrest warrant for Martinez, which was forwarded to the attention of Troop F personnel. At approximately 10:36 AM, Martinez was arrested at New Haven Superior Court and processed on the charge of Extradition Arrest (Fugitive from Justice)

Martinez was held on a $250,000 bond for this arrest and was arraigned in New Haven Superior Court.